A new report conducted by the pharmaceutical company Abbott has found that their weight loss pill, Meridia, can increase the risk of nonfatal heart attacks and strokes, although the effects were only seen in patients who already had underlying heart conditions, according to WebMD. The FDA moved to restrict the drug to those who have no know heart problems, but, in Europe, the pill was banned completely. Later this month, the FDA will discuss undertaking the same measures.

Wall Street is betting that three new experimental diet drugs could be huge commercial hits in a super-sizing America, but how comfortable would doctors be with prescribing the pills?. Clinical studies have shown all three -- Vivus Inc.'s (VVUS 5.61, +0.21, +3.89%) Qnexa, Orexigen Therapeutics' (OREX 4.73, +0.18, +3.96%) Contrave and Arena Pharmaceuticals' (ARNA 6.75, +0.16, +2.35%) lorcaserin-- can be effective in helping obese patients lose at least 5% of their body weight.